An upholsterer has avoided a jail term after he scattered hundreds of tacks outside police stations, puncturing the tyres of 16 police cars.

Kevin Bance, 59, was fined after he dropped the tacks which he routinely used as part of his job in front of the entrances to stations in Tonbridge, Coldharbour and Swanley in Kent.

Police arrested him after CCTV captured outside the stations showed Bance laying the tacks in what has been described by officers as a "malicious and thoughtless" act.

One elderly woman was injured after she stepped on one of the tacks as she walked past Tonbridge station on April 30 last year, said Kent Police.

Detective Constable Nicola Brown said: "What was a malicious and thoughtless act in laying these tacks caused damage to numerous police vehicles, which had to be taken off the road while their tyres were repaired."

Bance also admitted sending an envelope containing an unknown white powder to a police officer in revenge after receiving a fine for disorderly behaviour in 2010.

Bance, of Brookfield, Kemsing, Sevenoaks, admitted three counts of causing danger to a road user and a further count of harassment at Maidstone Crown Court and was sentenced on Monday, police said.

He was told to pay £1,922 in compensation for the damage to the cars and told he will be subject to a three-year supervision order.

Ms Brown said: "I hope this fine will help Mr Bance reflect on the serious consequences of his actions and that attacks on Kent Police staff in any form will not be tolerated."